Modern Vespa

I like Southern California, but I adore Northern California. I spent 4 years in Monterey - love the coast up there (and the fact that San Fransisco was only 3 hours away).

I do miss it... (went to Naval Post Graduate School)

Very nice fotos Steve, specially the "frozen vespa". never saw like this here in Indonesia!

Thanks for your kind words Dave. I think the kind of riding I do is too far afield from Piaggio's marketing strategy. It is interesting though to follow the two fellows riding MP3's across country as part of a Piaggio marketing project.

No Age Limit

Now that's a trip I want to make someday!

Went for a ride Thursday night to test out my new Gerbing G3 heated gloves -- free replacements for my old ones that died. You have to love lifetime warranties...

I got to experiment more with the Heidenau Snow Tex tires which are on for the second season. Definitely better than standard tires in snow.


Vespa GTS 250ie in the snow.

Dig it.... but I'd be scared to death. I don't like slipping.

great photos

I enjoyed that! Thank you. Some great shots, and great composition!

I really hope this doesn't come across as a shameless plug (for it isn't meant to be), but I recently created a web application where photographers can share their best photo locations - like some of the places you have in your shots - using GPS information.

The idea is that people set the location using simple point-and-click, and other photographers can go in and search for good locations within, say a fifty mile radius of a certain point, and they get GPS coordinates to go visit it themselves.

I would love to see some of your locations on the site!

Anyway, I thoroughly enjoyed your shots. Keep up the good work!

Oh, nearly forgot, the site is at: www.gpshots.com
(Mods, please delete and accept my apologies if putting the URL steps outside the rules).

Thats a really nice picture !

Great pictures kidda.

I love the sticks!!

Right now I am completely out of touch with GPS either as a navigation tool or a way to identify pictures. I keep it turned off on my iPhone. But someday I'll change!

Weather finally warming, or pretending to at least. First sunny day to ride in awhile. Seems like for the past month riding has been a cold, gray affair.


Vespa GTS 250ie along Circleville Road in a muddy field.

AMAZIIIIIIING!!!

Bravo! Makes me want to get out and take some myself. You obviously live in a very photogenic area and have a really good eye for a shot. You also look like you really enjoy getting out and about on 2 wheels. Do you ever go on rallies, or shoot other scooters? Keep up and enjoy the good work. Gass silver machine gts250

I've been to one scooter rally about four years ago. Rode to the BMW International Rally last summer on the Vespa. That was torture -- 100+ temperatures. Ugh. Time and opportunity keeps me largely to myself in the riding world.

I get to test ride a lot of motorcycles and shoot pictures of them. Whenever I see another Vespa in some interesting setting I'll shoot a picture but again not an often occurrence. My favorite is one I shot last summer with my iPhone while at a conference in Denver of two women on a scooter, one riding side saddle through the city at night.


Vespa on the streets of Denver, Colorado.

Nice shot, could be Naples! Gass silver machine gts 250

Everytime I look at your pictures I wanna get my ass on the bike, and get riding into the sticks.

Plus kudos for you mate. Good, infact super pictures!!

Thanks for the kind words about the pictures. Glad they help you get out for a ride. I'm always up for a ride. If the wind wasn't blowing so hard tonight I might be tempted to gear up and go!

Last Saturday morning provided a magical landscape of fog to ride in through a nearby state forest. I can't resist it..

I'm glad you didn't. great picture!

+1

Are you as tired of the cold as I am? Last week it was 80F and then it snows on the weekend. Even so, I went for a ride on the Vespa. They look pretty in the snow...

From snow to mist and rain -- a short ride a couple weeks ago. Always nice to ride when you're not fighting the sun and it makes for more dramatic pictures.

A relaxed ride today despite the threat of rain. In the forest, alone and without traffic, I find myself glad I have a Vespa and at the same time kicking myself for waiting so long to get one. This photo made on one of the meandering roads that runs through the Appalachian Mountains in central Pennsylvania.

On a recent ride to work - always try a more scenic route when there is fog...


2006 Vespa GTS250ie on the east side of Penn State's University Park campus.

As always, your work is inspiring. Not just to get out and ride but to keep the camera from getting dusty. Thanks for sharing.

Cool pics sfw3.... looks peaceful.. cold but peaceful! looks like a cool (not the temperature kind) ride!

@railchaser: Thanks for the kind words about the pictures. Certainly enjoy the rides that make them possible.

@Vader19: Lots of cool rides in central Pennsylvania. Just when I think I've exhausted all the possibilities I find someplace new.

I have just said this to someone else too.


Any chance you could swim over to England and take some photo's of mine. Im rubbish at taking photos!

Swimming might be out but Kim and I do want to get to England and Scotland someday besides a layover at Shannon or Heathrow. If that happens I expect to make some scooter pictures!

Steve,

I want to thank you for writing your blog. Your photos add a terrific perspective and depth to your writing. When I am reading your blog, I always wish I was riding with you.

Thanks again!

Fog this morning on the way to work means a little extra time to make some photos. I love the way the world looks in the fog -- like living in a dream...


My Vespa GTS250ie near Tussey Mountain in Central Pennsylvania.

At the beginning of one of the roughest dirt and gravel roads I've ridden in a long time. The little wheels and stock suspension on my GTS makes those rides a lot more fun than a dirtbike...


2006 Vespa GTS250ie near Orviston, Pennsylvania.

Riding at night, in the beginnings of fog, can be a magical environment. I continue to chase those situations...


Vespa GTS 250ie at night.

hi
its really a very nice shot.

Thanks. Unusual night -- lots of atmosphere to make an interesting picture. And how can you go wrong with a Vespa as a subject....

Evening ride on the Vespa -- out exploring the fading sunlight. The GTS has become much more comfortable on gravel over the years. I can remember when 15mph seemed impossible. Now I can cruise at 30-40 on gravel roads without sweating...


Vespa GTS250ie on the far north side of Penn State's University Park campus.

This is a great shot!

Fog this morning and I can't resist a quick photo on the way to work. Not as heavy as some mornings because it was starting to burn off but still a bit of the Brigadoon magic....


Vespa GTS250ie on a foggy morning near Linden Hall, Pennsylvania

Exiting the freeway on the Vespa, a quick photo to admire the setting sun through the concrete. A lot of people are surprised that the scooter can cruise along at acceptable speeds on an expressway. A nice option to have even though I prefer the back roads...


Vespa GTS250ie just off of Interstate 99.

A ride this evening in the mountains near home -- love draining the noise of the week with the Vespa...


Vespa GTS 250ie in Rothrock State Forest on Bear Meadows Road.